Novak Djokovic reveals three of his most memorable matches against Rafael Nadal

Ewan West 09 Apr 2024 10:29 AM

Pre-match Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal before a match

Novak Djokovic has highlighted three of the most memorable matches he has won against Rafael Nadal in his career as he discussed the pair’s epic rivalry.

The Serbian cited his triumph over Nadal in the 2012 Australian Open final, as well as victories in Monte Carlo and at the French Open, while expressing his hope to have “another great encounter” with the Spaniard.

Djokovic and Nadal have formed one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history, having faced off a men’s Open Era record of 59 times from 2006 to 2022, with the former holding a 30-29 edge. The legendary duo have contested numerous epic contests and have met multiple times at each of the four Grand Slam tournaments.

One of their most iconic clashes came in the 2012 Australian Open final, where Djokovic prevailed in a five-set marathon lasting five hours and 53 minutes — making it the longest Grand Slam final in history. It is considered by many to be one of the best matches ever played.

The other encounters Djokovic mentioned were his wins over the ‘King of Clay’ in the 2013 Monte Carlo Masters final and in the 2015 Roland Garros quarter-finals.

In the former, Djokovic ended Nadal’s 46-match winning streak and eight-year reign in Monte Carlo to win the tournament for the first time.

At the 2015 French Open, the Serbian became only the second player after Robin Soderling to down Nadal at the French Open with his straight-set win in the last eight.

In an interview with Eurosport ahead of the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters, Djokovic was asked about the most memorable matches he has played with his biggest rival.

“The one to remember that I won, the Australian Open final which went almost six hours, in 2012. And of course, the first time I won against him on clay, here [in Monte Carlo] in 2013,” said the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

“The first time I won against him in Roland Garros, I think it was 2015, but I lost way more times against him on clay. I think we played more than 50 times. It’s amazing, I’ve been very proud of that rivalry. I think we can probably reflect on it and appreciate it more once we retire.

“When you’re active, there’s not much time to reflect, even if you win a Grand Slam. It’s a non-stop journey. It’s very rewarding, but there’s not much chance to reflect.”

The world No 1 then shared his thoughts on Nadal’s continued absence from the tour due to injury issues after the 37-year-old was forced to withdraw from Monte Carlo.

“As a tennis fan I want him to play at least one more tournament before he retires. He was saying that this might be his last season, but he just played one tournament in Brisbane but hasn’t played since,” Djokovic added.

“We travelled together to America. I saw him at Indian Wells, he was trying his best to play. It’s his favourite surface. We all know what he’s done on clay in his career, particularly Roland-Garros. That’s his goal, we all know that, he’s been saying it.

“For the sake of all tennis and Roland Garros in particular, we hope that he can play there. It would be great to have another great encounter.”